News & Announcements
Remember to screen daily for symptoms before leaving for school
For school operations and health and safety information, please use the links below:
Monitoring School Absence Rates in the UGDSB
As an additional measure and layer of communication to keep our communities informed, the UGDSB has launched a pilot initiative to track school absence rates on a daily basis. This process is a pilot program and may evolve as required.
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Planning for potential staff shortages at schools
Due to the widespread presence of COVID-19 in our communities, the Upper Grand District School Board recognizes that staff shortages may be prevalent next week as students and staff return to school. The UGDSB will employ numerous strategies to ensure that student safety and supervision is maintained. However, we recognize that in some extreme cases classes and/or schools may have to transition to remote learning temporarily.
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Reminder to screen daily for symptoms before leaving for school
Families are reminded to complete the school screening every day before students leave for school.
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Information on student instruction for Friday January 14, 2022
As staff work to prepare their classrooms for in-person learning on Monday we want to inform families/caregivers that regular synchronous instruction may be interrupted on Friday to allow staff time in our schools to be ready to go for Monday.
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Wear and care of cloth masks for students
Public Health officials have stressed that wearing a well-constructed, well-fitted and properly worn mask or face covering is one the key protective measures we can take to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Families are encouraged to review the following information about the proper use and care of cloth face masks.
Protective health and safety measures during in-person learning
The provincial government has announced that Ontario schools will reopen to in-person learning starting on Monday January 17, 2022. The Upper Grand District School Board has many protective health and safety measures in place at our schools. Please read below for reminders and updates regarding these protective measures.
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UGDSB launching temporary remote option for elementary students once in-person learning resumes
The Upper Grand District School Board is developing a Temporary Remote Learning Option for elementary students that will be launched once in-person learning resumes.
January 2022 Newsletter
Highlights of our January News Includes:- Annual Food Bank Drive
- School Council Meeting Dates
- Bears v.s. Badgers? Which animal will be our new mascot?
UGDSB Before and After School Survey
Our Before and/or After School Program (BASP) survey will be opened for parents/guardians starting on January 4, 2022. The survey is intended to gather information about the number of children who need before and/or after school care for September 2022 at schools that do not currently offer a BASP. Please complete the BASP survey if your child ...Revised criteria for UGDSB student mask exemptions
As a result of the continued spread of COVID-19 and the increased transmissibility with the most recent variant, the Upper Grand District School Board has revised the criteria for granting student mask exemption requests. Please review this information for details.
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Province directs schools to shift to remote learning from January 5-17, 2022
On Monday January 3, 2022, the provincial government announced that all Ontario schools will shift to remote learning from January 5 to at least January 17, 2022. Please read on for important information for families in the UGDSB.
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Resumption of school delayed until Wednesday January 5, 2022
Today, the province of Ontario announced that the resumption of school will be delayed following the winter break. All schools will resume classes on Wednesday January 5, 2022. There will be no classes on Monday January 3 or Tuesday January 4. This direction is for all students including those enrolled in the elementary or secondary remote programs and for those in our special education self-contained classrooms.
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Positive Covid 19 Case at John Black
Dear parents/guardians and staff, WDG Public Health has notified us that one individual in our school has tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, Public Health has directed one class to self-isolate, as part of their established infection prevention and control measures. Please note a change in isolation requirements for students deemed ...Letter to parents/guardians: Information for the winter break
December 15, 2021 Dear parents and guardians, Thank you for your ongoing efforts that have made for a successful first four months of school, and for adhering to public health and safety measures that have ensured schools remain a safe place for our students and staff. We understand that there may be ...Read more about Letter to parents/guardians: Information for the winter break »
Information from the province on student rapid antigen testing over the winter break
On behalf of the Government of Ontario, the Upper Grand District School Board is distributing take-home rapid antigen screening kits to every elementary and secondary student who chooses to participate. Kits will be distributed prior to the winter break.
UGDSB Kindergarten Registration starts in January – here is what families need to know
Kindergarten registration for the Upper Grand District School Board is fast approaching. Registration for new UGDSB Junior Kindergarten (JK) and Senior Kindergarten (SK) students for September 2022 will take place between January 4-21, 2022.
December 2021 Newsletter
December News 2021 Information highlights include:- Pizza Days
- Annual Food Drive
- December Theme Days
- Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten Registration 2022-2023
Please see attached the information for families who wish to register their child for Kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year. If you know a family whose child will be eligible for registration next year, kindly share this information! Copy Of Kindergarten Registration Flyer 2022 23Pizza Days are Coming Back!
Dear Families, We are excited to share that starting in January, we will be offering pizza days on Mondays and Fridays. Parents can place their orders through school cash online beginning tomorrow until December 7th. If you are not registered with School Cash Online, information on how to sign up can be found ...Nurturing Resilience Through Relationships Presentation for Parents, Caregivers and Elders
Please find attached a flyer for a FREE webinar being offered to parents, caregivers, elders and those who care for our children and youth. Dr. Michael Ungar will be presenting in this virtual setting on the importance of nurturing resilience through relationships. Please share with your communities and join us ...Policy Feedback Opportunity: Policy 205 School Volunteers
UGDSB policy currently under review, 205 – School Volunteers, has been further revised and released for public consultation. Please review the proposed changes and provide your feedback by January 14, 2022.
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Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week and November’s Umbrella Skill – Kindness
Dear John Black PS Families, This week is Bullying Prevention and Awareness Month. Our Junior Bears, Student Council and GSA have been busy preparing for this week with each day having a theme and act of kindness. MONDAY- RAINBOW DAY, Random Act Of Kindness Day - Spread some kindness (Secretly!:) TUESDAY- UNIQUE SOCK DAY, Hello Tuesday! Find ...Read more about Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week and November’s Umbrella Skill – Kindness »
John Black Parent Teacher Report Card Portal and Interview Booking System
Hello, John Black Families! As you know, your child’s Progress Report is available as of tomorrow. You can access the report here, using the email you have registered with our school: https://mwweb.ugdsb.on.ca/jblac/parents Tomorrow, your child’s teacher will be sending home the Page 2 “Return Slip” that is a part of your ...Read more about John Black Parent Teacher Report Card Portal and Interview Booking System »
UGDSB looks ahead to Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
Schools of the UGDSB will be participating in Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week from November 22 to the 26th. Learn more about bullying and other resources.
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Progress Report Cards and Parent Teacher Interviews
Dear John Black Families, Progress Reports (Download on November 18th): As you know, the November Progress Reports will be available online on November 18th at our Report Card Portal here: https://mwweb.ugdsb.on.ca/jblac/parents Parent/Teacher Interviews (Sign up open – November 18 3:20 pm) Interviews ...Read more about Progress Report Cards and Parent Teacher Interviews »
November John Black PS News
November John Black PS News- Virtual Book Fair!
- Remembrance Day
- Picture Retake Day
Policy feedback opportunity: Policy 504 Equity and Inclusive Education
UGDSB Policy 504 Equity and Inclusive Education is currently under review and feedback is welcome on the draft documents until November 25, 2021.
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UGDSB received funding from the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS)
The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) received funding from the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS) for various projects throughout the district.
The UGDSB is continuing its work on increasing touchless points in our classrooms and learning environments by installing door ...Read more about UGDSB received funding from the COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream (CVRIS) »
